Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Instructor Spotlight


Garrett Hope


Dr. Garrett Hope would rather be golfing. Okay, not really (maybe). He’d rather be able to enjoy the moments when his students “get” something in a lesson –that sure sign that they are developing a genuine love and enjoyment of what they’re doing.

Garrett teaches guitar, upright and electric bass, beginning piano, and composition at Harris. Prior to joining the Harris teaching staff, he taught composition, music theory, music technology and ear training at the collegiate level. A lover of all types of music, Garrett offers his students knowledge and training in a wide variety of styles—rock, pop, alternative, blues, jazz, religious, and much more.

While his main instruments are guitar and bass, Garrett’s musical path was anything but straight forward. As many musicians experience, young and old, sometimes it takes some trial and error, and the right inspiration at the right time, to find that perfect bond between a musician and their instrument. Read Garrett’s story of choosing an instrument in his own words below, and get to know a little more about this fantastic member of the Harris team!

(But before you do, be sure to watch Garrett’s collaboration with other Lincoln musicians in the making of an entry for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Contest.)


More About Garrett:

What is your main instrument?
Bass, both upright and electric. I started university as a guitar major, but switched to bass halfway through my freshman year. I started studying piano when I was five and began studying clarinet when I was nine. I performed on clarinet in wind ensemble and marching band through university. I began studying guitar in middle school. I’ve also been singing my entire life. I’m not much of a soloist, but I love choral ensembles!

How long have you played your instrument?
Bass for 16 years, guitar for 23 years

How did you get started playing your instrument?
This question is so complex to answer! I was not given a choice about studying piano as a five-year-old. My parents just had me and my siblings do it. My parents also tried putting me in Suzuki violin at that age, but I absolutely hated it. In third grade, when children in my school district choose an instrument and join band or orchestra, I wanted to play saxophone. However, my mother, who is a classically trained musician, elementary school music teacher, choir director, and worship leader, wanted me to learn a “real orchestral instrument,” so I went with clarinet. I cringe at those words now. Oh well. In middle school my church hired a new worship pastor who had a classical guitar degree from USC, but was really into blues and jazz. This was the first instrument I really chose for myself and instantly fell in love with it. I would spend hours playing. At university there was a need for good bass players and I was able to meet that need. I quickly became an in-demand player and found I enjoyed playing the bass even more than the guitar. I realize now that part of the attraction was that I could absolutely control the music as a bass player—my compositional mindset was very active even then.

Do you play any other instruments?
I can get around and figure out most instruments, but I would never perform on them. I do a lot of sequencing and composition in the computer, so I could say the computer as well.

What is your favorite kind of music?
Don’t have one. I’m really a musical pluralist. If the music is done well I can enjoy it.

Do you have a fun or inspiring story to share about teaching lessons?
My favorite moments as a teacher are when a student finally “gets” a concept or skill. At those moments the eyes go wide and the face beams. These moments are joy for me because the student begins to enjoy what they are doing even more.

What is your hometown?
Arvada, CO

Do you have any good stories about where you grew up?
From my parent’s front door you can see most of the Front Range (the first set of Rocky Mountains). Four 14,000ft peaks are visible as well as Boulder’s Flatirons. I find the mountains extremely inspiring and have a lifetime’s worth of good memories hiking, skiing, exploring, and camping in the mountains. I love Lincoln, but I miss the mountains.

What other hobbies do you have besides music?
I love to golf. If I could, I would play 18 holes a day.

What is your favorite food?
One can’t go wrong with pizza and burritos.

What do you think is the best movie of all time?
It’s hard to choose one, but here’s a short list:
The Godfather, Part II
The Matrix
The Princess Bride
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

What is a book everyone should read?
Such as with movies, here’s a short list. I’ve read so many books, and average 2–3 month it’s really hard to say.
William Goldman, The Princess Bride (This is the funniest book I have EVER read)
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia
Annie Proulx, The Shipping News

What is a little known fact about you?
I can clap with one hand.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

March Student of the Month

Noah Kohl


She may be small, but she’s got it all! Nine year old Noah Kohl, a piano and violin student at Harris, is our March Student of the Month. Noah’s goals with piano lessons are to “become great” at piano and note reading. She’s making terrific progress! Her piano teacher, Mai Butler says, “Noah is such a motivated student who always impresses me by preparing for her lesson very well. Her dream is to be a concert pianist and she is working so hard to make her dream come true. Her upcoming debut solo piano recital will be a great first step for her journey.”

Yes, you read that correctly—Noah is preparing for a solo piano recital to be held this April. She’ll play about 25 minutes of her favorite music from lesson books, mostly from memory. That’s quite an accomplishment and we can’t wait to hear the result of her hard work!

Besides her dedication to music, Noah is also a fan of math and…chicken! Read more about our newest Student of the Month, and be sure to congratulate Noah when you see her around the studio.

More About Noah:

How long have you taken lessons?
Piano: 3 years
Violin: 6 months

What other instrument(s) do you play?
Vocal (chorus)

What are your favorite songs?
Just Give Me a Reason and Fur Elise

What other hobbies do you have besides music?
Petting cats, math, and shopping

What is your favorite food?
Chicken

What are your favorite classes in school?
Math, reading, P.E., art

What are your goals with music lessons?
To become great at piano and note reading

What is something new and exciting you have learned in lessons lately?
Lots of classical songs

What is one of your favorite recital or performance memories?
My first recital with my friend

What is your favorite quote?
I may be small, but I’ve got it all!

What do you think is the best movie of all time?
Mr. Peabody and Sherman

What is a book everyone should read?
Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur

What is a little known fact about you?
That I’m half Albanian

Do you know any good jokes?
How do basketball players cool off at games?
By all their fans!

March Pet of the Month


Meet Maddie, a yellow lab who belongs to David and Andrew Swanson, piano students at Harris. Their mom, Amy, says, “Maddie is as sweet as they come and a very smart girl!  Maddie has a March birthday (she will turn 3) and we feel so "lucky" to have her.”